Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Lionel Messi, Neymar Exit Rumours

Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has claimed Barcelona are not currently in a position to be able to offer both Lionel Messi and Neymar new contracts, and the former has never been closer to leaving the Catalan club.

Speaking during a question and answer session on Sky Sports’ website, Balague was asked about the current rumours swirling around the aforementioned pair. He insisted the club is reliant on an increase in revenue if they are to tie both players down to new deals and that Neymar is in no hurry to sign:

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Considering their financial situation right now, nope, they can't. But if they increase their commercial revenue as they expect, then yes.

Neymar, unhappy also about the tax situation, still has to decide if he can be the number one of the world next to Messi or not. Barcelona want to renew his contract as soon as possible, but Neymar and his Dad, who represents him, are not in a rush.

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Neymar has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, with Balague previously telling talkSPORT the Brazilian is considering a move to Old Trafford. A recent report from Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton in the Sun has also claimed Manchester City will seek to sign Messi in a staggering deal worth £800,000-a-week to the player.

Despite Messi’s obvious affinity with the Blaugrana, Balague explained why stories about the forward leaving shouldn’t be completely dismissed:

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My understanding is that no one has reached a stage where wages have been discussed beyond the promise that he will earn more in England that he would in Spain. 

All those clubs are trying to do, and I’m sure City are one of them, is try to convince him. If Manchester City are to appoint Pep Guardiola as their coach could that have an influence on Messi’s decision? Absolutely. But you have to say the only thing that is certain is that Messi is at Barcelona, he wants to stay at Barcelona but the door has never been so open before. It doesn’t mean he’s going to move but it means that he is listening.

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Balague went on to state that if Messi was to move then it would not be because of the remarkable sums offered, but more to do with his ongoing tax dispute and the fact he fancies a new challenge late in his career.

For Barcelona, to lose one of these players, never mind both, would be a huge blow. As we can see here courtesy of BT Sport Football, alongside their team-mate Luis Suarez, Messi and Neymar have enjoyed a sensational 2015:

Of the two, Neymar is definitely the future and a player who has proven this season that he has what it takes to lead the Barcelona attack. The Brazilian has matured over the last 12 months, ironing out the erratic kinks in his playing style, learning from Messi and Suarez and making critical contributions in big matches for the Blaugrana.

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Now that Messi is back in the side having returned from injury, it’ll be intriguing to see whether or not Neymar can have the same sort of impact. As we can see here courtesy of Football Tweets, the Argentina skipper is certainly willing to help his team-mate get on the scoresheet when possible:

Messi is a player who Barcelona simply can’t afford to sell, though. The 28-year-old is not just the best footballer in the world, he’s central to the club’s identity. Losing him would be a huge blow for the Camp Nou faithful and to the club’s commercial department, for which the forward’s image is the main driving force.

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Indeed, manager Luis Enrique has claimed speculation linking Messi with a possible move to the Premier League is completely unfounded, per ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan:

There’s little evidence to suggest that either of these two superstars will be going anywhere for a while. Granted, Barcelona may not be in the healthiest financial state, but they’re a juggernaut of a football club who will surely move mountains to ensure their two key players are on handsome long-term deals.

As is evident by their displays on the field, the duo love playing alongside each other and have already inspired Barca to great things. Neymar may have ambitions of becoming the world’s best one day, but the best way for him to do so is by learning from Messi and playing in the same team for as long as possible